Benchmarking Innovation Potentials in Large Projects by Public Private Partnerships

Abstract

Large projects have greater potentials for innovations. Driving and enabling innovations in Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements is a complex challenge in many cases. Hence our ongoing research aims at benchmarking innovation potentials in large projects procured by PPP. The research method includes critical review of literature and interviews. Key drivers and enablers of innovation explored in this research include potential for achieving higher quality, demand for green benefits and environmental sustainability, technical challenges or complexities, competition between bidders, client’s requirements, regulator’s requirements, end-user’s involvement and requirements, performance-based contracting, fund available for innovation, facilities, applications and materials for innovation, risk management (e.g. risk transfer/allocation), culture (e.g. no blame culture), communication (e.g. lateral communication structure), integrated project delivery, collaboration of skills and expertise, long term and whole life values, reward and recognition for innovators, government schemes (e.g. tax incentives) and R&D investment. The paper presents (a) an interim summary of research findings and (b) a conceptual framework to benchmark innovation potentials in large projects delivered by PPP.